Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1359) increases tax credits for investors who fund emerging technology businesses. It raises the base credit rate from 20% to 30% of qualified investments, with an additional 5% available for investments in businesses located in opportunity zones, low-income communities, or certified minority/women-owned businesses. The credit applies to investments in specific technology sectors including biotechnology, renewable energy, information technology, and medical device technology. Taxpayers can claim up to $500,000 per investment, and the total annual credits cannot exceed $35 million, with applications processed in order of submission if funding is limited.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows candidates for New Jersey's Senate and General Assembly who represent the same legislative district and belong to the same political party to be listed together on a single nominating petition. Currently, candidates for these two offices must submit separate petitions, requiring distinct signature collections. The bill does not change the required number of signatures but simplifies the process by enabling combined petitions for candidates running in the same district and party. It directly affects Senate and Assembly candidates seeking nomination in overlapping districts from the same political party.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Bleacher Safety Act (A1363) requires safety standards for existing bleachers at public venues like sports arenas, schools, and event centers. It directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create safety standards within six months, using U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines, and mandates that all entities - governmental (e.g., school districts), private, and nonprofit - upgrade or retrofit bleachers to meet these standards. Governmental entities must comply within one year (or sooner if funding is available), while private and nonprofit entities have two years. Non-compliant bleachers must display warning notices and cannot be used after deadlines pass.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member study commission to examine two key areas: (1) how New Jersey's long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) prepare for infectious disease outbreaks, and (2) ways to encourage home health care services. The commission, composed of state agency representatives and industry experts, will analyze facility outbreak response plans, staffing adequacy during outbreaks, and methods to retain home health aides. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months, detailing findings and recommendations. The commission will expire 3 months after submitting its final report. (Note: This is a procedural study commission, not a policy change.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to military-connected individuals. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund by designating a portion of their state income tax refund or making an additional payment on their tax return. The fund will provide grants up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for: (1) active-duty military members and their families, (2) New Jersey National Guard members and families, (3) veterans and their families, or (4) surviving spouses of military members or veterans. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents who lived in the state for at least 12 consecutive months prior to applying and must provide proof of financial hardship, with a limit of one grant per 12-month period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to create an interest-free loan program enabling residential customers to purchase standby emergency power generators. The program provides loans up to $8,000 per generator, with repayment managed through an "energy resilience fee" added to customers' monthly bills - itemized separately and based on usage (e.g., flat fee or surcharge). Utilities must establish a revolving loan fund and recover implementation costs through their regular revenue, while the fee itself is not considered utility revenue or subject to taxes. It directly affects residential utility customers in New Jersey who choose to participate in the program to finance generator purchases from private vendors.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate from 9% to 2.5% for all corporations doing business in the state, retroactive to January 1, 2020. The 2.5% rate applies to all CBT taxpayers with privilege periods ending after December 31, 2019, and becomes permanent. A "privilege period" refers to the 12-month accounting period for which businesses pay tax for operating in New Jersey. The change lowers the tax burden for affected corporations by significantly reducing the tax rate they pay on income.

Maddy summaryACR 33 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and first responders. The exemption would cover up to 10% of a home's assessed value, with each municipality setting the exact percentage through local ordinance. To qualify, the volunteer must be actively serving in a local fire company or first aid/rescue squad that serves the municipality and live in the home as their primary residence. The state would not provide reimbursement to municipalities for any lost tax revenue from this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1361) requires New Jersey's Legislature to approve any updates or revisions to the state's core curriculum content standards. Currently, the State Board of Education reviews and updates these standards every five years; this bill mandates that the Board submit any proposed changes to the Legislature for approval within 45 days. If the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution approving the changes, they become effective; if disapproved, the changes cannot be implemented. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education (which must submit revisions) and the Legislature (which must act within the specified timeframe).